Sign up to receive free email alerts when patent applications with chosen keywords are publishedSIGN UP

Abstract:

An electric power information control unit compares electric power value
information relating to a specific electric power amount of an electric
power amount of a first storage battery and electric power value
information relating to the specific electric power amount of the
electric power amount of the second storage battery. When there are
electric power information in which the electric power value information
relating to the specific electric power amount are different from each
other in the first and second storage batteries, the electric power
information control unit swaps and stores the electric power value
information in the first electric power information storing unit and the
second electric power information storing unit.

Claims:

1-10. (canceled)

11. An electric-power transaction apparatus comprising: a first electric
power information obtaining unit configured to obtain information from a
first electric power information storing unit configured to store first
electric power information comprising an amount of electric power stored
in a first storage battery and first electric power value information
which is information relating to a value of the first electric power
amount; a second electric power information obtaining unit configured to
obtain information from a second electric power information storing unit
configured to store second electric power information comprising an
amount of electric power stored in a second storage battery and electric
power value information of the electric power amount; and an electric
power information control unit configured to perform electric power
transaction between the first storage battery and the second storage
battery based on the first electric power information and the second
electric power information, wherein the electric power information
control unit compares the electric power value information relating to a
specific electric power amount of the electric power amount of the first
storage battery and the electric power value information relating to the
specific electric power amount of the electric power amount of the second
storage battery, and swaps and stores, when there are the electric power
information in which the electric power value information relating to the
specific electric power amount are different from each other in both the
storage batteries, the electric power value information in the first
electric power information storing unit and the second electric power
information storing unit.

12. The electric-power transaction apparatus according to claim 11,
wherein the electric power value information comprises a power generation
method or an electric power price for the amount of electric power stored
in each of the storage batteries.

13. The electric-power transaction apparatus according to claim 11,
wherein the electric power information control unit divides the first
electric power information into a plurality of pieces of electric power
information to compare the electric power value information relating to
the specific electric power amount between the electric power amount of
the first storage battery and the electric power amount of the second
storage battery.

14. The electric-power transaction apparatus according to claim 11,
further comprising: a storage state detecting unit configured to detect a
storage state of the first storage battery, wherein the electric power
information control unit compares, when the storage state detecting unit
determines that the discharging speed of the first storage battery is a
predetermined value or lower, the electric power value information
relating to the specific electric power amount.

15. The electric-power transaction apparatus according to claim 14,
wherein the electric power information control unit re-measures the
amount of electric power stored in the first storage battery by the
storage state detecting unit before comparing the electric power value
information relating to the specific electric power amount, and updates
and stores the first electric power information in the first electric
power information storing unit.

16. The electric-power transaction apparatus according to claim 11,
further comprising: a storage battery characteristic correcting unit in
which the storage characteristics of the first storage battery are
stored, wherein the electric power information control unit corrects the
amount of electric power stored in the first storage battery by the
storage battery characteristic correcting unit before comparing the
electric power value information relating to the specific electric power
amount, and updates the first electric power information to perform the
electric power transaction.

17. The electric-power transaction apparatus according to claim 16,
wherein the first electric power information comprises information
relating to a temperature of the first storage battery measured when the
amount of electric power stored in the first storage battery is measured,
wherein the storage battery characteristic correcting unit comprises a
temperature characteristics correcting unit in which characteristics of
the storage amount and temperature of the first storage battery are
stored, and wherein the electric power information control unit corrects
the amount of electric power stored in the first storage battery based on
the measured temperature and temperature at the electric power
transaction by the temperature characteristics correcting unit before
comparing the electric power value information relating to the specific
electric power amount, and updates the first electric power information
to perform the electric power transaction.

18. The electric-power transaction apparatus according to claim 17,
wherein the first electric power information comprises information
relating to a time measured when the amount of electric power stored in
the first storage battery is measured, wherein the storage battery
characteristic correcting unit comprises a self-discharging
characteristic correcting unit in which characteristics of the storage
amount and elapsed time of the first storage battery are stored, and
wherein the electric power information control unit corrects the amount
of electric power stored in the first storage battery based on the
measured time and a time at the electric power transaction by the
self-discharging characteristic correcting unit before comparing the
electric power value information relating to the specific electric power
amount, and updates the first electric power information to perform the
electric power transaction.

19. A method of controlling an electric-power transaction apparatus, said
method comprising: obtaining information from a first electric power
information storing unit configured to store first electric power
information comprising an amount of electric power stored in a first
storage battery and electric power value information which is information
relating to a value of the electric power amount; obtaining information
from a second electric power information storing unit configured to store
second electric power information comprising an amount of electric power
stored in a second storage battery and electric power value information
of the electric power amount; and performing electric power transaction
between the first storage battery and the second storage battery based on
the first electric power information and the second electric power
information, wherein the electric power transaction comprises comparing
the electric power value information relating to a specific electric
power amount of the electric power amount of the first storage battery
and the electric power value information relating to the specific
electric power amount of the electric power amount of the second storage
battery, and swapping and storing, when there are the electric power
information in which the electric power value information relating to the
specific electric power amount are different from each other in both the
storage batteries, the electric power value information in the first
electric power information storing unit and the second electric power
information storing unit.

20. A computer readable medium having a program stored thereon and
readable by a computer, said program, when executed by the computer,
causing the computer to execute the method of controlling the
electric-power transaction apparatus according to claim 19.

Description:

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric-power transaction
apparatus which performs electric power transaction between electric
powers that are different in value, and a control method thereof. For
example, the present invention relates to an electric-power transaction
apparatus which performs electric power transaction between electric
power generated from natural energy such as solar energy or wind energy
and electric power generated from fossil fuels such as petroleum or gas,
and a control method thereof.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In recent years, an attempt has been made to develop a purchasing
system for electric power generated in a solar power generation apparatus
to rapidly spread solar power generation apparatuses. The Japanese
government raised the purchasing price to two times the previous price
from November, 2009 (48 yen per kilowatt-hour in general houses).

[0003] On the other hand, electric power generated from fossil fuels such
as petroleum or coal is not a purchasing target. Further, in a case where
the solar power generation apparatus is installed on agricultural land,
even though agricultural land is suitable for a wide range of power
generation with good sunlight conditions and quite a wide area, electric
power generated on agricultural land is excluded from the purchasing
target. Thus, in spite of the same electric power in appearance, the
electric power is handled differently in electric power purchasing
according to the generation method or the like, which results in high
value electric power and low value electric power.

[0004] In the related art, for example, techniques disclosed in Patent
Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are known as techniques relating to
electric power exchange.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses an electric power information
processing method in which an installer side which has power generation
means and a manager side which manages electric power information are
connected through a network, the installer side measures the amount of
electric power generated in the power generation means and the amount of
electric power consumed by the installer themselves and notifies the
manager side of each item of electric power history information, and the
manager side calculates a valid-selling generated power amount which can
be validly sold by the installer from the electric power history
information transmitted from the installer and calculates a price
corresponding to the valid-selling generated power amount.

[0006] Patent Document 2 discloses an electric power load leveling method
in which electric power stored in a battery is discharged at a peak time
for electric power demand in a business location, which is an electric
power consumer supplied with electricity from an electric power company,
so as to level electric power load, and in which each battery of a
plurality of automobiles is charged at a non-peak time for the electric
power demand in the business location or using night power for
individually owned automobiles and the electric power stored in the
charged battery of the automobile is discharged at the peak time for the
power demand in the business location.

[0009] By the way, in a case where a power generating party (for example,
a person having a solar power generation apparatus in a general house)
has both high value electric power (electric power generated in the solar
power generation apparatus) and low value electric power (electric power
generated from fossil fuels such as petroleum or coal), the power
generating party may preferentially consume the low value electric power
and may sell the high value electric power to a different party to
utilize its value. However, if the low value electric power is used up,
the power generating party has to use the high value electric power.

[0010] It is preferable that solar power generation apparatuses be widely
spread in houses so that people who know the importance of electric power
transaction of renewable energy, for example, through a green electricity
certificate can efficiently use electric power generated therefrom, but
this is not yet satisfactory.

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide an electric-power
transaction apparatus and a control method thereof which can perform
electric power transaction with high reliability between a person who
desires to sell high value electric power and a person using low value
electric power who desires to obtain high value electric power.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0012] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an
electric-power transaction apparatus including: first electric power
information obtaining means for obtaining information from first electric
power information storing means configured to store first electric power
information including an amount of electric power stored in a first
storage battery and electric power value information which is information
relating to a value of the electric power amount; second electric power
information obtaining means for obtaining information from second
electric power information storing means configured to store second
electric power information including an amount of electric power stored
in a second storage battery and electric power value information of the
electric power amount; and electric power information control means for
performing electric power transaction between the first storage battery
and the second storage battery based on the first electric power
information and the second electric power information, wherein the
electric power information control means compares the electric power
value information relating to a specific electric power amount of the
electric power amount of the first storage battery and the electric power
value information relating to the specific electric power amount of the
electric power amount of the second storage battery, and swaps and
stores, when there are the electric power information in which the
electric power value information relating to the specific electric power
amount are different from each other in both the storage batteries, the
electric power value information in the first electric power information
storing means and the second electric power information storing means.

[0013] According to this configuration, as the electric power value
information relating to the values of the electric power stored in the
respective first storage battery and second storage battery are compared
with each other, and the pieces of electric power value information are
swapped and stored when the pieces of electric power information in which
the pieces of electric power value information in the specific electric
power amount are different from each other are present in both the
storage batteries, it is possible to perform electric power transaction
with high reliability between a person who desires to sell high value
electric power and a person using low value electric power who desires to
obtain high value electric power.

[0014] In the above configuration, the electric power value information
may include a power generation method or an electric power price for the
amount of electric power stored in each of the storage batteries.

[0015] According to this configuration, by using the electric power value
information including the power generation method or the electric power
price for the amount of electric power stored in each storage battery, it
is possible to accurately detect the high value electric power and the
low value electric power, and to perform electric power transaction with
high reliability.

[0016] In the above configuration, the electric power information control
means may divide the first electric power information into a plurality of
pieces of electric power information to compare the electric power value
information relating to the specific electric power amount between the
electric power amount of the first storage battery and the electric power
amount of the second storage battery.

[0017] According to this configuration, by dividing the first electric
power information into the plurality of pieces of electric power
information, it is easy to compare the pieces of electric power value
information in the specific electric power amount, and to perform
electric power transaction with high reliability.

[0018] In the above configuration, the electric-power transaction
apparatus may further include storage state detecting means for detecting
a storage state of the first storage battery, and the electric power
information control means may compare, when the storage state detecting
means determines that the discharging speed of the first storage battery
is a predetermined value or lower, the electric power value information
relating to the specific electric power amount.

[0019] According to this configuration, by monitoring the discharging
speed, it is possible to prevent the electric power transaction from
being performed while the first storage battery is being discharged (that
is, while the electric power is being used), and to perform electric
power transaction with high reliability.

[0020] In the above configuration, the electric power information control
means may re-measure the amount of electric power stored in the first
storage battery by the storage state detecting means before comparing the
electric power value information relating to the specific electric power
amount, and update and store the first electric power information in the
first electric power information storing means.

[0021] According to this configuration, by re-measuring the amount of
electric power stored in the first storage battery and by updating the
first electric power information before comparing the pieces of electric
power value information in the specific electric power amount, it is
possible to perform electric power transaction with high reliability.

[0022] In the above configuration, the electric-power transaction
apparatus may further include: storage battery characteristic correcting
means in which the storage characteristics of the first storage battery
are stored, and the electric power information control means may correct
the amount of electric power stored in the first storage battery by the
storage battery characteristic correcting means before comparing the
electric power value information relating to the specific electric power
amount, and update the first electric power information to perform the
electric power transaction.

[0023] According to this configuration, by correcting the amount of
electric power stored in the first storage battery and by updating the
first electric power information before comparing the pieces of electric
power value information in the specific electric power amount, it is
possible to perform electric power transaction with high reliability.

[0024] In the above configuration, the first electric power information
may include information relating to a temperature of the first storage
battery measured when the amount of electric power stored in the first
storage battery is measured, and the storage battery characteristic
correcting means may include temperature characteristics correcting means
in which characteristics of the storage amount and temperature of the
first storage battery are stored. Further, the electric power information
control means may correct the amount of electric power stored in the
first storage battery based on the measured temperature and temperature
at the electric power transaction by the temperature characteristics
correcting means before comparing the electric power value information
relating to the specific electric power amount, and updates the first
electric power information to perform the electric power transaction.

[0025] According to this configuration, by correcting the amount of
electric power stored in the first storage battery from the measured
temperature obtained by measuring the temperature of the first storage
battery and the temperature when the electric power transaction is
performed and by updating the first electric power information before
comparing the pieces of electric power value information in the specific
electric power amount, it is possible to perform electric power
transaction with high reliability.

[0026] In the above configuration, the first electric power information
may include information relating to a time measured when the amount of
electric power stored in the first storage battery is measured, and the
storage battery characteristic correcting means may include
self-discharging characteristic correcting means in which characteristics
of the storage amount and elapsed time of the first storage battery are
stored. Further, the electric power information control means may correct
the amount of electric power stored in the first storage battery based on
the measured time and a time at the electric power transaction by the
self-discharging characteristic correcting means before comparing the
electric power value information relating to the specific electric power
amount, and updates the first electric power information to perform the
electric power transaction.

[0027] According to this configuration, by correcting the amount of
electric power stored in the first storage battery from the measured time
and the time when the electric power transaction is performed and by
updating the first electric power information before comparing the pieces
of electric power value information in the specific electric power
amount, it is possible to perform electric power transaction with high
reliability.

[0028] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a
method of controlling an electric-power transaction apparatus, the method
including: a first electric power information obtaining step of obtaining
information from first electric power information storing means
configured to store first electric power information including an amount
of electric power stored in a first storage battery and electric power
value information which is information relating to a value of the
electric power amount; a second electric power information obtaining step
of obtaining information from second electric power information storing
means configured to store second electric power information including an
amount of electric power stored in a second storage battery and electric
power value information of the electric power amount; and an electric
power transaction step of performing electric power transaction between
the first storage battery and the second storage battery based on the
first electric power information and the second electric power
information, wherein the electric power transaction step includes
comparing the electric power value information relating to a specific
electric power amount of the electric power amount of the first storage
battery and the electric power value information relating to the specific
electric power amount of the electric power amount of the second storage
battery, and swapping and storing, when there are the electric power
information in which the electric power value information in the specific
electric power amount are different from each other in both the storage
batteries, the electric power value information in the first electric
power information storing means and the second electric power information
storing means.

[0029] According to this method, as the pieces of electric power value
information relating to the values of the electric power stored in the
respective first storage battery and second storage battery are compared
with each other, and the pieces of electric power value information are
swapped and stored when the pieces of electric power information in which
the pieces of electric power value information in the specific electric
power amount are different from each other are present in both the
storage batteries, it is possible to perform electric power transaction
with high reliability between a person who desires to sell high value
electric power and a person using low value electric power who desires to
obtain high value electric power.

[0030] According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided
a program which causes the control method of the electric-power
transaction apparatus to be executed on the computer.

[0031] According to this program, as the pieces of electric power value
information relating to the values of the electric power stored in the
respective first storage battery and second storage battery are compared
with each other, and the pieces of electric power value information are
swapped and stored when the pieces of electric power information in which
the pieces of electric power value information in the specific electric
power amount are different from each other are present in both the
storage batteries, it is possible to perform electric power transaction
with high reliability between a person who desires to sell high value
electric power and a person using low value electric power who desires to
obtain high value electric power.

Advantages of the Invention

[0032] According to the invention, it is possible to perform electric
power transaction with high reliability between a person who desires to
sell high value electric power and a person using low value electric
power who desires to obtain high value electric power.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a
configuration of an electric-power transaction apparatus according to a
first embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an outline of
electric power transaction through an electric vehicle using the
electric-power transaction apparatus in FIG. 1.

[0035] FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are pattern diagrams illustrating the flow of
electric power transaction using the electric-power transaction apparatus
in FIG. 1.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of electric power
information stored in a first electric power information storage unit of
a first electric-power transaction apparatus in FIG. 1.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of electric power
information stored in a second electric power information storage unit of
a second electric-power transaction apparatus in FIG. 1.

[0038] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating operations of the first and
second electric-power transaction apparatuses in FIG. 1.

[0039] FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a
configuration of an electric-power transaction apparatus according to a
second embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of electric power
information stored in a first electric power information storage unit of
a first electric-power transaction apparatus in FIG. 7.

[0041] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of electric power
information stored in a second electric power information storage unit of
a second electric-power transaction apparatus in FIG. 7.

[0042] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating operations of the first and
second electric-power transaction apparatuses in FIG. 7.

[0043] FIG. 11 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a
configuration of an electric-power transaction apparatus according to a
third embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically illustrating an outline of
electric power transaction through an information communication network
using the electric-power transaction apparatus in FIG. 11.

[0045] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating operations of first and second
electric-power transaction apparatuses in FIG. 11.

[0046] FIG. 14 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a
configuration of an electric-power transaction apparatus according to a
fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating operations of first and second
electric-power transaction apparatuses in FIG. 14.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0048] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

[0049] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a
configuration of an electric-power transaction apparatus according to a
first embodiment of the present invention. A first electric-power
transaction apparatus 1 and a second electric-power transaction apparatus
5 shown in FIG. 1 have the same configuration and function. FIG. 2 is a
diagram schematically illustrating an outline of electric power
transaction through an electric vehicle using the electric-power
transaction apparatus according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, the
first electric-power transaction apparatus 1 of the first electric-power
transaction apparatus 1 and the second electric-power transaction
apparatus 5 shown in FIG. 1 is installed in a commercial facility, and
the second electric-power transaction apparatus 5 is installed in an
electric vehicle 100.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 2, in the electric vehicle 100, a storage battery
3B (see FIG. 1, second storage battery) is charged with high value
electric power obtained by a solar power generation 110 or a wind power
generation 120, or is charged with low value electric power from an
electric power company 130. When go shopping using the electric vehicle
100, a user sells high value electric power by connecting the electric
vehicle 100 to the first electric-power transaction apparatus 1 which is
installed in the commercial facility. Further, if necessary, the user
purchases low value electric power from the first electric-power
transaction apparatus 1. The electric vehicle 100 stores at least
electric power necessary for going to a charging station from the
commercial facility and returning to the commercial facility, in the
storage battery 3B.

[0051] The low value electric power and the high value electric power are
mixed in the storage battery 3B of the electric vehicle 100 in this way,
and the high value electric power is to be sold to the commercial
facility. Here, in the present invention, electric power transaction is
not performed by charging and discharging, but is performed by
replacement of numerical values or data. That is, since the high value
electric power and the low value electric power are the same electric
power, it is not necessary to perform exchange through charging and
discharging during transaction, and the transacted numerical values or
data may be rewritten. Additionally, if the charging and discharging are
performed during transaction, the process takes time, and, although only
a small amount, electric power is lost due to electric resistance or
contact resistance of the track, or the storage battery is deteriorated
due to an increase in the number of charge and discharge cycles, which is
not preferable.

[0052] FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating the flow of electric
power transaction using the first electric-power transaction apparatus 1
and the second electric-power transaction apparatus 5 shown in FIG. 1, in
which (a) shows charging states of a storage battery (first storage
battery) 3A and a storage battery 3B before electric power selling and
(b) shows charging states of the storage battery 3A and the storage
battery 3B after electric power selling. In the storage battery 3A on the
side of the first electric-power transaction apparatus 1, for example, 50
kWh of electric power which is charged with a private electric generator
is stored. The value of the electric power charged with the private
electric generator is 20 Yen/kWh, for example (low value electric power).
A first piece of electric power information including the electric power
amount of the storage battery 3A and electric power value information
which is information relating to the value of the electric power amount
is stored in a first electric power information storage unit 14A.

[0053] On the other hand, in the storage battery 3B on the side of the
second electric-power transaction apparatus 5, for example, an electric
power of 5 kWh which is charged with night power and 10 kWh of electric
power which is charged with the solar power generation are stored. The
value of the electric power which is charged with the solar power
generation is 40 Yen/kWh, for example (high value electric power). A
second piece of electric power information including the electric power
amount of 5 kWh, the electric power amount of 10 kWh and electric power
value information which is information relating to the values of these
electric power amounts is stored in a second electric power information
storage unit 14B.

[0054] In a case where electric power transaction is performed between the
first electric-power transaction apparatus 1 and the second
electric-power transaction apparatus 5, since the 10 kWh of electric
power which is stored in the storage battery 3B on the side of the second
electric-power transaction apparatus 5 is the high value electric power,
this is sold to the side of the first electric-power transaction
apparatus 1. In the cases of (a) and (b) of FIG. 3, the entire 10 kWh of
electric power is sold in the second electric-power transaction apparatus
5. On the other hand, since the 50 kWh of electric power which is stored
in the storage battery 3A on the side of the first electric-power
transaction apparatus 1 is the low value electric power, this is sold to
the side of the second electric-power transaction apparatus 5. At this
time, the 10 kWh of electric power is sold in the second electric-power
transaction apparatus 5.

[0055] The electric power transaction is not performed by charging and
discharging as described above, but is performed only by replacement of
the numerical values or data. In the present embodiment, an "electric
power label is used for the electric power transaction. For example, in
the cases of (a) and (b) of FIG. 3, each of "electric power information
(1)", "electric power information (1A)", "electric power information
(2)", "electric power information (3)", and "electric power information
(1B)" is the electric power label. After the electric power transaction,
as shown in (b) of FIG. 3, the storage state of the storage battery 3A on
the side of the first electric-power transaction apparatus 1 becomes 40
kWh which is charged with the private electric generator and 10 kWh which
is purchased from the electric vehicle 100, and the storage state of the
storage battery 3B on the side of the second electric-power transaction
apparatus 5 becomes 5 kWh which is charged with the night power and 10
kWh which is purchased from the side of the first electric-power
transaction apparatus 1.

[0056] Next, the first electric-power transaction apparatus 1 and the
second electric-power transaction apparatus 5 will be described in
detail. In FIG. 1, the first electric-power transaction apparatus 1
includes a storage state detecting unit 11A, a temperature detecting unit
12A, a time counting unit 13A, the first electric power information
storage unit 14A, an electric power information control unit 15A, a
communication unit 22A, and an account settlement unit 23A. The storage
battery 3A is connected to the first electric-power transaction apparatus
1, and the storage battery 3A stores electric power generated by a power
generating apparatus 2. Further, an electric power selling apparatus 4
through which the electric power is sold in practice is connected to the
storage battery 3A.

[0057] In the first electric-power transaction apparatus 1, the storage
state detecting unit 11A detects a storage state such as a charging or
discharging speed of the storage battery 3A, and notifies the electric
power information control unit 15A of the result. The temperature
detecting unit 12A detects a peripheral temperature of the storage
battery 3A when the storage state detecting unit 11A detects the storage
state of the storage battery 3A, and notifies the electric power
information control unit 15A of the result. The time counting unit 13A
notifies the electric power information control unit 15A of time
information when the temperature detecting unit 12A detects the
peripheral temperature of the storage battery 3A.

[0058] The first electric power information storage unit 14A stores the
electric power information relating to the storage battery 3A, that is,
the first electric power information. Although described in detail later,
the first electric power information storage unit 14A stores the electric
power information as shown in FIG. 4. The electric power information
control unit 15A includes first electric power information obtaining
means and second electric power information obtaining means, and performs
the process of electric power transaction between the storage battery 3A
on the side of the first electric-power transaction apparatus 1 and the
storage battery 3B on the side of the second electric-power transaction
apparatus 5, on the basis of the first electric power information stored
in the first electric power information storage unit 14A which is
obtained by the first electric power information obtaining means and the
second electric power information stored in the second electric power
information storage unit 14B which is obtained by the second electric
power information obtaining means from the second electric-power
transaction apparatus 5 through the communication unit 22A. Specifically,
between the electric power amount of the storage battery 3A and the
electric power amount of the storage battery 3B, the pieces of electric
power value information in a specific electric power amount are compared,
when the pieces of electric power information having different electric
power value information in the specific electric power amount are present
in the storage batteries 3A and 3B, the pieces of electric power value
information are swapped and stored in the first electric power
information storage unit 14A and the second electric power information
storage unit 14B of the second electric-power transaction apparatus 5.
The electric power value information is information including a power
generating method of the amounts of the electric power stored in the
storage batteries 3A and 3B or electric power values thereof. Here, the
specific electric power amount which is the amount of electric power
transaction has a small electric power amount when the pieces of electric
power information having different electric power value information are
compared with each other, as a maximum value.

[0059] The electric power information control unit 15A is configured by a
microprocessor, for example, and divides the first electric power
information stored in the first electric power information storage unit
14A into a plurality of pieces of electric power information, in order to
compare the pieces of electric power value information in the specific
electric power amount, between the electric power amount of the storage
battery 3A and the electric power amount of the storage battery 3B, in
the electric power transaction process. Further, the electric power
information control unit 15A compares the pieces of electric power value
information in the specific electric power, when the discharging speed of
the storage battery 3A is a predetermined value or lower by the storage
state detecting unit 11A. Here, the reason why it is confirmed that the
discharging speed of the storage battery 3A is the predetermined value or
lower is to restrict electric power transaction during discharging of the
storage battery 3A when the electric power is decreasing (while the
electric power is being used). Thus, it is possible to enhance the
reliability in the electric power transaction.

[0060] That is, since the electric power stored in the storage battery 3A
decreases during discharging, when the discharging speed is high,
electric power transaction is not performed so that electric power larger
than the stored electric power is not transacted in the first
electric-power transaction apparatus 1. If the discharging speed is
sufficiently slower than the speed of electric power transaction,
electric power transaction can be performed. Further, the electric power
stored in the storage battery 3A is increased during charging, and thus,
the electric power larger than the stored electric power is not
transacted in the first electric-power transaction apparatus 1 as
described above. Here, the electric power transaction in the first
electric-power transaction apparatus 1 may not be performed while the
storage battery 3A is being charged or discharged.

[0061] Further, before the pieces of electric power value information in
the specific electric power amount are compared, the electric power
information control unit 15A re-measures the amount of electric power
stored in the storage battery 3A using the storage state detecting unit
11A, and updates the first electric power information stored in the first
electric power information storage unit 14A and stores the result in the
first electric power information storage unit 14A. Since the amount of
electric power stored in the storage battery 3A is re-measured and the
first electric power information is updated before the pieces of electric
power value information in the specific electric power amount are
compared, it is possible to perform electric power transaction with high
reliability in consideration of self-discharging of the storage battery
3A.

[0062] Returning to FIG. 1, the communication unit 22A transmits the first
electric power information stored in the first electric power information
storage unit 14A to the second electric-power transaction apparatus 5,
and obtains the second electric power information relating to the storage
battery 3B of the electric vehicle 100 from the second electric-power
transaction apparatus 5. The account settlement unit 23A transmits prices
of the electric power exchanged between the first electric-power
transaction apparatus 1 and the second electric-power transaction
apparatus 5 to a settling system 6 to perform price settlement.

[0063] In a similar manner to the first electric-power transaction
apparatus 1, the second electric-power transaction apparatus 5 includes a
storage state detecting unit 11B, a temperature detecting unit 12B, a
time counting unit 13B, the second electric power information storage
unit 14B, an electric power information control unit 15B, a communication
unit 22B, and an account settlement unit 23B. The storage state detecting
unit 11B detects a storage state such as the discharging speed of the
storage battery 3B (second storage battery) of the electric vehicle 100,
and notifies the electric power information control unit 15B of the
result. The temperature detecting unit 12B detects a peripheral
temperature of the storage battery 3B when the storage state detecting
unit 11B detects the storage state of the storage battery 3B, and
notifies the electric power information control unit 15B of the result.
The time counting unit 13B notifies the electric power information
control unit 15B of time information when the temperature detecting unit
12B detects the peripheral temperature of the storage battery 3B.

[0064] The second electric power information storage unit 14B stores
electric power information relating to the storage battery 3B, that is,
the second electric power information. Although described in detail
later, the second electric power information storage unit 14B stores
electric power information as shown in FIG. 5. The electric power
information control unit 15B communicates the electric power information
with the first electric-power transaction apparatus 1 through the
communication unit 22B, and performs the electric power transaction
between the storage battery 3B and the storage battery 3A using the
information and a variety of pieces of information obtained by the
storage state detecting unit 11B, the temperature detecting unit 12B and
the time counting unit 13B.

[0065] The electric power information control unit 15B includes first
electric power information obtaining means and second electric power
information obtaining means, and performs the process of electric power
transaction between the storage battery 3B on the side of the second
electric-power transaction apparatus 5 and the storage battery 3A on the
side of the first electric-power transaction apparatus 1, on the basis of
the second electric power information stored in the second electric power
information storage unit 14B which is obtained by the second electric
power information obtaining means and the first electric power
information stored in the first electric power information storage unit
14A which is obtained by the first electric power information obtaining
means from the first electric-power transaction apparatus 1 through the
communication unit 22A. Specifically, the pieces of electric power value
information in a specific electric power amount are compared between the
electric power amount of the storage battery 3B and the electric power
amount of the storage battery 3A, and when the pieces of electric power
information having different electric power value information in the
specific electric power amount are present in the storage batteries 3B
and 3A, the pieces of electric power value information are swapped and
stored in the second electric power information storage unit 14B and the
first electric power information storage unit 14A of the first
electric-power transaction apparatus 1. The electric power value
information is information including a power generating method of the
amounts of the electric power stored in the storage batteries 3B and 3A
or electric power values thereof.

[0066] Here, the electric power information control unit 15B divides the
second electric power information stored in the second electric power
information storage unit 14B into a plurality of pieces of electric power
information, in order to compare the pieces of electric power value
information in the specific electric power amount, between the electric
power amount of the storage battery 3B and the electric power amount of
the storage battery 3A, in the electric power transaction process.
Further, the electric power information control unit 15B, when the
discharging speed of the storage battery 3B is a predetermined value or
lower, compares the pieces of electric power value information in the
specific electric power using the storage state detecting unit 11B.
Further, before the pieces of electric power value information in the
specific electric power amount are compared, the electric power
information control unit 15B re-measures the amount of electric power
stored in the storage battery 3B using the storage state detecting unit
11B, and updates the second electric power information stored in the
second electric power information storage unit 14B and stores the result
in the second electric power information storage unit 14B.

[0067] Returning to FIG. 1, the communication unit 22B transmits the
second electric power information stored in the second electric power
information storage unit 14B to the first electric-power transaction
apparatus 1, and obtains the first electric power information relating to
the storage battery 3A from the first electric-power transaction
apparatus 1. The account settlement unit 23B transmits prices of the
electric power exchanged between the first electric-power transaction
apparatus 1 and the second electric-power transaction apparatus 5 to the
settling system 6 to perform price settlement.

[0068] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the first electric
power information stored in the first electric power information storage
unit 14A of the first electric-power transaction apparatus 1. The first
electric power information includes "event No.", "electric power label",
"electric power amount (electric power price rate)", "event content",
"storage battery temperature", "event occurrence time", "event target",
and "current information (current state, electric power usage and
electric power transaction). For example, in the case of an event No. A1,
the "electric power label" is electric power information (1), the
"electric power amount (electric power price rate)" is 48 kWh (20
Yen/kWh), and the "event content" is charging, the "storage battery
temperature" is 5 degrees, the "event occurrence time" is Jan. 12, 2009
07:00:00, the "event target" is the power generating apparatus 2
#2222222, and the "current state of the current information" is "state
changed→event A2".

[0069] In FIG. 4, events caused by the first electric power information
are given event Nos., a history including a past history is displayed,
but a format may be used in which only the latest events are shown. For
example, only A3 and A6 which are the latest events may be displayed.

[0070] In the "current information", the "electric power usage" is a
setting about whether the electric power of the storage battery 3A is
discharged for use. For example, while the electric-power transaction
apparatus 1 is transacting the electric power of the storage battery 3A,
the "electric power usage" is set to "prohibited" so that the electric
power of the storage battery 3A is not used. Further, the "electric power
transaction" is a setting about whether the electric power of the storage
battery 3A can be transacted in the first electric-power transaction
apparatus 1. As described above, when the discharging speed is the
predetermined value or higher or while the electric power is being used
(actually used), the "electric power transaction" is set to "prohibited"
so that electric power transaction is not allowed. Further, the obtained
high value electric power may be set to "prohibited" so that the electric
power usage or the electric power transaction is not allowed, to thereby
maintain the obtained high value electric power.

[0071] The "electric power amount" is a value measured by the storage
state detecting unit 11A, and the "event content" is an event which is
performed by the electric power information control unit 15A. The
"storage battery temperature" is a value measured by the temperature
detecting unit 12A, and the "event occurrence time" is a value measured
by the time counting unit 13A. The "event target" is the value of an
authentication ID which is obtained by the communication unit 22A. The
"event information" is managed by the electric power information control
unit 15A.

[0072] In the example shown in FIG. 4, the electric power information (1)
is divided into (1A) and (1B) to be exchanged with the electric power
information (3). That is, the electric power information control unit 15A
divides the first electric power information into a plurality of pieces
of electric power information, in order to compare the pieces of electric
power value information in the specific electric power amount, between
the electric power amount of the storage battery 3A and the electric
power amount of the storage battery 3B. For example, as shown in FIG. 4,
the electric power information control unit 15A re-measures the amount of
electric power stored in the storage battery 3A in the event A2 before
division.

[0073] For example, in the event A1, there is an electric power of 48 kWh
which is charged from the power generating apparatus 2 at a storage
battery temperature of 5 degrees, at 7 am, Dec. 1, 2009. When being
re-measured, in the event A2, the electric power is changed to 50 kWh at
a storage battery temperature of 18 degrees, at 10:55:30, Dec. 10, 2009.
In this way, the electric power amount extracted from the storage battery
is changed due to the difference between temperatures of the storage
batteries or the influence of the self-discharging of the storage
battery.

[0074] Next, the re-measured electric power amount is divided. In the
events A3 and A4, the electric power information (1) of 50 kWh is divided
into the electric power information (1A) and the electric power
information (1B) to create the electric power information (1B) of 10 kWh
which is the same as the electric power information (3).

[0075] Further, in events A5 and A6, the electric power transaction is
performed with the electric power information (1B) stored in the storage
battery 3A and the electric power information (3) stored in the storage
battery 3B. Since the electric power information (1B) in the event A5 is
transacted with the electric power information (3), the information about
"electric power transaction" in the "current information" of the event A5
is "completed", and the electric power transaction completion is
displayed.

[0076] Further, since the electric power information (3) of the event A6
is the high value electric power (40 Yen/kWh) obtained by exchange with
the electric power information (1B), the "electric power usage" and the
"electric power transaction" in the "current information" of the event A6
are set to "prohibited" to thereby maintain a state where the electric
power usage and the electric power transaction are not allowed.

[0077] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the second electric
power information stored in the second electric power information storage
unit 14B of the second electric-power transaction apparatus 5. The second
electric power information includes "event No.", "electric power label",
"electric power amount (electric power price rate)", "event content",
"storage battery temperature", "event occurrence time", "event target",
and "current information (current state, electric power usage and
electric power transaction), in a similar way to the electric power
information stored in the first electric power information storage unit
14A of the first electric-power transaction apparatus 1 as described
above. In the "current state" among the "current information", if a
plurality of allowances for electric power usage is present, its usage
priority is determined by the electric power information control unit
15B. Here, in events B4 and B7, the electric power information (1B) in
which the electric power price rate is low is set to be used prior to the
electric power information (2).

[0078] The electric power information control unit 15B divides the second
electric power information into a plurality of pieces of electric power
information, in order to compare the pieces of electric power value
information in the specific electric power amount, between the electric
power amount of the storage battery 3B and the electric power amount of
the storage battery 3A. In the event B3, the electric power information
control unit 15B re-measures the amount of electric power stored in the
storage battery 3B before division.

[0079] The electric power stored in the storage battery 3B includes 12 kWh
of electric power which is charged from the solar power generating
apparatus at a storage temperature of 22 degrees, at 3:30 pm, Nov. 8,
2009 in the event B1, and an 6 kWh of electric power which is charged
from an electric power company at a storage temperature of 13 degrees, at
1 am, Nov. 10, 2009 in the event B2. The total electric power is 18 kWh,
but when being re-measured directly before the electric power transaction
with the first electric-power transaction apparatus 1, this is changed to
15 kWh at a storage battery temperature of 18 degrees, at 10:57:30 AM,
Dec. 10, 2009, in the event B3. In this way, the electric power amount
extracted from the storage battery is changed due to the difference
between temperatures of the storage batteries or the influence of the
self-discharging of the storage battery.

[0080] Then, the re-measured electric power amount of 15 kWh is divided
and returns to the electric power generated by the solar power generating
apparatus and the electric power charged by the electric power company.
In the events B1 and B2, since the ratio of the electric power generated
by the solar power generating apparatus to the electric power charged
from the electric power company is 12 kWh: 6 kWh=2:1, 15 kWh in the event
B3 is divided according to this ratio. As a result, the electric power of
5 kWh which is charged from the electric power company in the event B4
and the 10 kWh of electric power which is generated by the solar power
generating apparatus in the event B5 are stored in the storage battery
3B. In this way, in a case where the electric power stored in the storage
battery is increased or decreased as a result of the re-measurement, a
process is performed such that the increase or decrease is allocated at
the same ratio as that of the respective storage amounts before the
re-measurement.

[0081] Further, the electric power transaction is performed between the
electric power information (3) stored in the storage battery 3B and the
electric power information (1B) stored in the storage battery 3A, in
events B6 and B7. Since the electric power information (3) in the event
B6 is transacted with the electric power information (1B), the
information about the "electric power transaction" in the "current
information" of the event B6 is "completed", and the electric power
transaction completion is displayed.

[0082] Further, since the electric power information (1B) in the event B7
is electric power of a relatively low value (20 Yen/kWh) obtained by
exchange with the electric power information (3), information about the
"electric power usage" and the "electric power transaction" among the
"current information" in the event B7 is set to "allowed", to thereby
maintain a state where the electric power usage and the electric power
transaction are allowed.

[0083] As described above, a history of the electric power transaction is
stored in the first electric power information storage unit 14A and the
second electric power information storage unit 14B, as shown in FIGS. 4
and 5, respectively. The electric power transaction history remains in
the first electric-power transaction apparatus 1 and the second
electric-power transaction apparatus 5, a follow-up is available in the
future with reference to the first electric-power transaction apparatus 1
and the second electric-power transaction apparatus 5. Further, it is
possible to prevent arbitrary editing by an electric power holder, to
thereby enhance the reliability of the electric power transaction.

[0084] As a result of the re-measurement, the process when the electric
power stored in the storage battery is increased or decreased is not
limited to the process of allocating the increase or decrease at the same
ratio as that of the respective stored electric power amounts before the
re-measurement, and for example, a process of increasing or decreasing
only the low value electric power for allocation may be considered.

[0085] Next, an operation of the electric-power transaction apparatus
according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 6. An element (for
example, the electric power information control unit 15A) which performs
each step is described together with description of each step.

[0086] The communication units 22A and 22B of the first and second
electric-power transaction apparatuses 1 and 5 perform mutual
authentication by connection of the first electric-power transaction
apparatus 1 and the second electric-power transaction apparatus 5. That
is, mutual authentication IDs are exchanged during initial connection to
perform authentication (step 1).

[0087] After the first electric-power transaction apparatus 1 and the
second electric-power transaction apparatus 5 are connected to each other
and the authentication is performed, the storage state detecting units
11A and 11B of the first and second electric-power transaction
apparatuses 1 and 5 measure the discharging speeds of the storage
batteries 3A and 3B to confirm whether the discharging speeds are a
predetermined value or lower (step 2). That is, since the electric power
is reduced while each of the storage batteries 3A and 3B is being
discharged (while electric power is being used), the discharging speeds
of the storage batteries 3A and 3B are measured so that electric power
transaction is not performed at that time.

[0088] After it is confirmed that the discharging speeds of the storage
batteries 3A and 3B are the predetermined value or lower, the storage
state detecting units 11A and 11B of the first and second electric-power
transaction apparatuses 1 and 5 re-measure the amounts of the electric
power stored in the storage batteries 3A and 3B, respectively. The
measurement results are stored in the electric power information storage
units 14A and 14B by the electric power information control units 15A and
15B (step 3).

[0089] After the measurement results of the amounts of the electric power
stored in the storage batteries 3A and 3B are stored in the electric
power information storage units 14A and 14B, the electric power
information control unit 15A of the first electric-power transaction
apparatus 1 reads the second electric power information relating to the
storage battery 3B of the electric vehicle 100 on the side of the second
electric-power transaction apparatus 5 from the electric power
information storage units 14B of the second electric-power transaction
apparatus 5 (step 4). The reading target has only to be information about
the electric power which is currently stored, and thus, it is not
necessary to read records of past electric power transaction.

[0090] After reading the second electric power information relating to the
storage battery 3B of the electric vehicle 100, the electric power
information control unit 15A compares the electric power amount of the
high value electric power stored in the storage battery 3B on the side of
the second electric-power transaction apparatus 5 with the electric power
amount of the low value electric power stored in the storage battery 3A
on the side of the first electric-power transaction apparatus 1, to
determine the electric power transaction amount (here, in the electric
power information in which the electric power transaction is allowed),
and to set the transacted electric power to "usage prohibited". Here, if
necessary, the first electric power information is divided to become the
same as the transacted electric power amount, and is stored in the
electric power information storage unit 14A (step 5). Here, the
transacted electric power amount has a smaller electric power amount as a
result of the comparison of the high value electric power amount and the
low value electric power amount, as a maximum value.

[0091] Then, the respective electric power information control units 15A
and 15B exchange the electric power information about the electric power
transacted by the respective first and second electric-power transaction
apparatuses 1 and 5, and store the exchanged electric power information
in the electric power information storage units 14A and 14B (step 6).
Next, each of the electric power information control units 15A and 15B
performs allowance settings of the electric power usage and the electric
power transaction with respect to the newly stored electric power
information (step 7).

[0092] Then, prices of the electric power exchanged by the respective
electric power information control units 15A and 15B are transmitted to
the account settlement unit 6 from the respective account settlement
units 23A and 23B to perform settlement (step 8). After the electric
power price settlement, the respective communication units 22A and 22B of
the first and second electric-power transaction apparatuses 1 and 5
release the connection with the other party (step 9).

[0093] As described above, the electric-power transaction apparatus 1
according to the present embodiment includes the first electric power
information storage unit 14A which stores the first electric power
information including the amount of electric power stored in the storage
battery 3A and the electric power value information which is the
information relating to the value of the electric power amount, the
communication unit 22A which receives the second electric power
information from the second electric-power transaction apparatus 5 which
stores the second electric power information including the amount of
electric power stored in the storage battery 3B of the electric vehicle
100 and the electric power value information relating to the value of the
electric power amount, and the electric power information control unit
15A which performs the electric power transaction between the storage
battery 3A and the storage battery 3B on the basis of the first electric
power information and the second electric power information. The electric
power information control unit 15A compares the pieces of electric power
value information in the specific electric power amount between the
electric power amount of the storage battery 3A and the electric power
amount of the storage battery 3B, and swaps and stores, when the pieces
of electric power information having different electric power value
information in the specific electric power amount are present in the
storage batteries 3A and 3B, the pieces of electric power value
information in the first electric power information storage unit 14A and
the second electric power information storage unit 14B of the second
electric-power transaction apparatus 5. Thus, it is possible to perform
electric power transaction with high reliability between a person who
desires to sell high value electric power and a person using low value
electric power who desires to obtain high value electric power.

[0094] Further, according to the electric-power transaction apparatus 1 of
the present embodiment, since the first electric power information is
divided into the plurality of pieces of electric power information in
order to compare the pieces of electric power value information in the
specific electric power amount between the electric power amount of the
storage battery 3A and the electric power amount of the storage battery
3B, it is easy to compare the pieces of electric power value information
in the specific electric power amount, and thus, it is possible to
perform electric power transaction with high reliability.

[0095] Further, according to the electric-power transaction apparatus 1 of
the present embodiment, since the discharging speed of the storage
battery 3A is confirmed, it is possible to prevent the electric power
transaction while the storage battery 3A is being discharged (that is,
while the electric power is being used), and it is possible to perform
electric power transaction with high reliability.

[0096] Further, according to the electric-power transaction apparatus 1 of
the present embodiment, since the amount of electric power stored in the
storage battery 3A is re-measured and the first electric power
information is updated before the pieces of electric power value
information are compared in the specific electric power amount, it is
possible to perform electric power transaction with high reliability.

[0097] Since the electric-power transaction apparatus 5 has the same
function as in the electric-power transaction apparatus 1, the same
effect can be obtained.

[0098] Accordingly, in steps 4 and 5, the electric power information
control unit 15A of the first electric-power transaction apparatus 1
reads the second electric power information relating to the storage
battery 3B from the electric power information storage unit 14B of the
second electric-power transaction apparatus 5 to determine the electric
power transaction amount, but contrarily, the electric power information
control unit 15B of the second electric-power transaction apparatus 5 may
read the first electric power information relating to the storage battery
3A from the electric power information storage unit 14A of the first
electric-power transaction apparatus 1 to determine the electric power
transaction amount.

[0099] When the plurality of electric-power transaction apparatuses is
connected, for example, the electric-power transaction apparatus on the
side of a larger storage amount as a result of comparison of the electric
power stored in the storage batteries 3A and 3B in step 4 determines the
electric power transaction amount.

[0100] Further, the electric-power transaction apparatus 1 and the
electric-power transaction apparatus 5 may be configured by an exclusive
circuit, but the control method of the electric-power transaction
apparatus may be programmed using a computer so that the program is
executed on the computer.

[0101] In the first embodiment, the above-described temperature detecting
units 12A and 12B are not essential configurations in the present
invention. In this case, in the electric power information shown in FIGS.
4 and 5, the "storage battery temperature" is not recorded. Further, in
the first embodiment, the above-described time counting units 13A and 13B
are not essential configurations. In this case, in the electric power
information shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the "event occurrence time" is not
recorded.

Second Embodiment

[0102] FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a
configuration of an electric-power transaction apparatus according to a
second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, the same reference
numerals are given to the same units as in FIG. 1, and detailed
description thereof will be omitted.

[0103] The storage battery 3A is connected to a first electric-power
transaction apparatus 51 according to the present embodiment. The storage
battery 3A stores electric power generated by the power generating
apparatus 2. Further, the electric power selling apparatus 4 through
which the electric power is sold in practice is connected to the storage
battery 3A.

[0105] Here, in the present invention, since electric power transaction is
not performed by charging and discharging but is performed by replacement
of numerical values or data, it is necessary to correctly detect the
physical characteristics of the storage batteries in order to enhance the
reliability in the electric power transaction. That is, since all the
storage batteries do not necessarily have the same physical
characteristics, there is individual difference, and there may be
deterioration due to changes over time, it is necessary to correctly
detect the physical characteristics of the storage batteries. It is
possible to maintain the reliability in the electric power transaction by
detecting the physical characteristics of the storage batteries.

[0106] Further, in the present embodiment, temperature characteristics of
the storage batteries and influence of self-discharging are calculated by
computation. Thus, it is possible to set a standard model of temperature
and self-discharging for the electric power transaction. For example, it
is possible to make a provision that the electric power transaction shall
be performed for electric power which is stored in a state where the
temperature of the storage battery is 25 degrees and the self-discharging
is 1 percentage or less.

[0107] The storage battery characteristic correcting unit 16A stores the
storage characteristics of the storage battery 3A, and corrects the
amount of electric power stored in the storage battery 3A using the
storage characteristics before the electric power information control
unit 15A compares the pieces of electric power value information in the
specific electric amount, and updates the first electric power
information for the electric power transaction. In a similar way to the
storage battery characteristic correcting unit 16A, the storage battery
characteristic correcting unit 16B stores the storage characteristics of
the storage battery 3B, corrects the amount of electric power stored in
the storage battery 3B using the storage characteristics before the
electric power information control unit 15B compares the pieces of
electric power value information in the specific electric amount, and
updates the second electric power information for the electric power
transaction.

[0108] As a first storage battery characteristic correction, the
temperature characteristic correcting unit 17A stores characteristics of
the storage amount and temperature of the storage battery 3A, corrects
the amount of electric power stored in the storage battery 3A from the
temperature when the storage amount is measured and the temperature
(measured temperature) when the electric power transaction is performed,
using the characteristics, before the electric power information control
unit 15A compares the pieces of electric power value information in the
specific electric amount, and updates the first electric power
information for the electric power transaction. Here, the temperature
measured by the temperature detecting unit 12A when the amount of
electric power stored in the storage battery 3A is measured is included
in the "storage battery temperature" in FIG. 8 as information relating to
the measured temperature of the storage battery 3A, in the first electric
power information.

[0109] In a similar way to the temperature characteristic correcting unit
17A, the temperature characteristic correcting unit 17B stores
characteristics of the storage amount and temperature of the storage
battery 3B, corrects the amount of electric power stored in the storage
battery 3B from the temperature when the storage amount is measured and
the temperature (measured temperature) when the electric power
transaction is performed, using the characteristics, before the electric
power information control unit 15B compares the pieces of electric power
value information in the specific electric amount, and updates the second
electric power information for the electric power transaction. Here, the
temperature measured by the temperature detecting unit 12B when the
amount of electric power stored in the storage battery 3B is measured is
included in the "storage battery temperature" in FIG. 9 as information
relating to the measured temperature of the storage battery 3A, in the
second electric power information.

[0110] Here, a correction formula using the temperature characteristics
will be described. The storage battery can calculate the corrected
electric power amount of the storage amount which is changed according to
temperature by the following formula (1).

Corrected electric power amount=electric power amount measured in the
past×(temperature coefficient of temperature at the time of
electric power transaction/temperature coefficient of temperature at the
time of measurement in the past) (1)

[0111] The temperature coefficient of the temperature at the time of
electric power transaction is set to a storage amount "1" at 25 degrees,
for example, which is the value of the storage amount at the temperature
and is changed according to the storage batteries. In this respect, the
correction may be performed with reference to a different calculation
formula or characteristic curve data, instead of the formula (1).

[0112] As a second storage battery characteristic correction, the
self-discharging correcting unit 18A stores characteristics of the
storage amount and elapsed time of the storage battery 3A, corrects the
amount of electric power stored in the storage battery 3A from the time
(measured time) when the storage amount is measured and the time when the
electric power transaction is performed, using the characteristics,
before the electric power information control unit 15A compares the
pieces of electric power value information in the specific electric
amount, and updates the first electric power information for the electric
power transaction. Here, the measured time measured by the time counting
unit 13A when the amount of electric power stored in the storage battery
3A is measured is included in the "event occurrence time" in FIG. 8 as
information relating to the measured time of the storage battery 3A, in
the first electric power information.

[0113] In a similar way to the self-discharging correcting unit 18A, the
self-discharging correcting unit 18B stores characteristics of the
storage amount and elapsed time of the storage battery 3B, corrects the
amount of electric power stored in the storage battery 3B from the
measured time and the time when the electric power transaction is
performed, using the characteristics, before the electric power
information control unit 15B compares the pieces of electric power value
information in the specific electric amount, and updates the second
electric power information for the electric power transaction. Here, the
measured time measured by the time counting unit 13B when the amount of
electric power stored in the storage battery 3B is measured is included
in the "event occurrence time" in FIG. 9 as information relating to the
measured time of the storage battery 3B, in the second electric power
information.

[0114] Here, a correction formula using the self-discharging
characteristic will be described. Since the storage amount is reduced
according to the elapsed time after charging, correction is performed. At
this time, the corrected electric power amount can be calculated by the
following formula (2).

Corrected electric power amount=electric power amount measured in the
past×self-discharging coefficient of storage
battery×(electric power transaction time-time at the time of
measurement in the past) (2)

[0115] Since the self-discharging coefficient of the storage battery is
changed according to the storage batteries, the coefficients are stored
in advance in the self-discharging correcting units 18A and 18B. Further,
the time at the time of measurement in the past is included in the first
and second electric power information. In this respect, the correction
may be performed with reference to a different calculation formula or
characteristic curve data, instead of the formula (2).

[0116] Further, the charging and discharging count managing unit 19A
manages the number of charge and discharge cycles of the storage battery
3A, determines the number of charge and discharge cycles of the storage
battery 3A before the electric power information control unit 15A
compares the pieces of electric power value information in the specific
electric amount, and determines that the storage battery 3A reaches its
life duration when the number of charge and discharge cycles of the
storage battery 3A is a predetermined count or more to prohibit the
electric power transaction process.

[0117] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the first electric
power information stored in the first electric power information storage
unit 14A of the first electric-power transaction apparatus 51. The fact
that the temperature characteristics correction and the self-discharging
correction as described above are performed before the electric power
transaction is recorded in the event A2. The number of charge and
discharge cycles counted by the charging and discharging count managing
unit 19A every charging or discharging time is recorded in the "event
content" of the event A1 at the time of charging.

[0118] Returning to FIG. 7, the charging and discharging count managing
unit 19B manages the number of charge and discharge cycles of the storage
battery 3B, and determines the number of charge and discharge cycles of
the storage battery 3B before the electric power information control unit
15B compares the pieces of electric power value information in the
specific electric amount and determines that the storage battery 3B
reaches its life duration when the number of charge and discharge cycles
of the storage battery 3B is a predetermined count or more to prohibit
the electric power transaction process.

[0119] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the second electric
power information stored in the second electric power information storage
unit 14B of the second electric-power transaction apparatus 55. The fact
that the temperature characteristics correction and the self-discharging
correction as described above are performed before the electric power
transaction is recorded in the event B3. The number of charge and
discharge cycles counted by the charging and discharging count managing
unit 19B every charging or discharging time is recorded in the "event
content" of the events B1 and B2 at the time of charging.

[0120] Next, an operation of the electric-power transaction apparatus
according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 10. An element (for
example, the electric power information control unit 15A) which performs
each step is described together with description of each step.

[0121] The communication units 22A and 22B of the first and second
electric-power transaction apparatuses 51 and 55 perform mutual
authentication by connection of the first electric-power transaction
apparatus 51 and the second electric-power transaction apparatus 55. That
is, mutual authentication IDs are exchanged during initial connection to
perform authentication (step 11).

[0122] After the first electric-power transaction apparatus 51 and the
second electric-power transaction apparatus 55 are connected to each
other and the authentication is performed, the storage state detecting
units 11A and 11B of the first and second electric-power transaction
apparatuses 51 and 55 measure the discharging speeds of the storage
batteries 3A and 3B to confirm whether the discharging speeds are a
predetermined value or lower (step 12). That is, since the electric power
is reduced while each of the storage batteries 3A and 3B is being
discharged (while the electric power is being used), the discharging
speeds of the storage batteries 3A and 3B are measured so that electric
power transaction is not performed at that time.

[0123] After it is confirmed that the discharging speeds of the storage
batteries 3A and 3B are the predetermined value or lower, the storage
state detecting units 11A and 11B correct the amounts of the electric
power stored in the storage batteries 3A and 3B using the characteristic
information of the respective storage batteries 3A and 3B, and store the
respective corrected electric power amounts in the first and second
electric power information storage units 14A and 14B (step 13). In this
case, the correction using the temperature characteristics is performed
by the temperature characteristic correcting units 17A and 17B, and the
correction using the self-discharging characteristic is performed by the
self-discharging number correcting units 18A and 18B. Further, the
confirmation of the number of charge and discharge cycles is performed by
the charging and discharging count managing units 19A and 19B.

[0124] In this way, in a case where the electric power stored in the
storage battery is increased or decreased as a result of the correction,
a process is performed such that the increase or decrease is allocated at
the same ratio as that of the respective storage amounts before the
correction.

[0125] After the correction results of the amounts of the electric power
stored in the storage batteries 3A and 3B are stored in the electric
power information storage units 14A and 14B, the electric power
information control unit 15A of the first electric-power transaction
apparatus 51 reads the second electric power information relating to the
storage battery 3B of the electric vehicle 100 on the side of the second
electric-power transaction apparatus 5 from the second electric power
information storage units 14B of the second electric-power transaction
apparatus 55 (step 14).

[0126] After reading the second electric power information relating to the
storage battery 3B of the electric vehicle 100, the electric power
information control unit 15A compares the electric power amount of the
high value electric power stored in the storage battery 3B on the side of
the second electric-power transaction apparatus 55 with the electric
power amount of the low value electric power stored in the storage
battery 3A on the side of the first electric-power transaction apparatus
51, to determine the electric power transaction amount (here, in the
electric power information in which the electric power transaction is
allowed), and to set the transacted electric power to "usage prohibited".
Here, if necessary, the first electric power information is divided to
become the same as the transacted electric power amount, and is stored in
the electric power information storage unit 14A (step 15). Here, the
transacted electric power amount has a smaller electric power amount as a
result of the comparison of the high value electric power amount and the
low value electric power amount, as a maximum value.

[0127] Then, the respective electric power information control units 15A
and 15B exchange the electric power information about the electric power
transacted by the respective first and second electric-power transaction
apparatuses 51 and 55, and store the exchanged electric power information
in the electric power information storage units 14A and 14B (step 16).
Next, each of the electric power information control units 15A and 15B
performs allowance settings of the electric power usage and the electric
power transaction with respect to the newly stored electric power
information (step 17).

[0128] Then, prices of the electric power exchanged by the respective
electric power information control units 15A and 15B are transmitted to
the account settlement system 6 from the respective account settlement
units 23A and 23B to perform settlement (step 18). After the electric
power price settlement, the respective communication units 22A and 22B of
the first and second electric-power transaction apparatuses 51 and 55
release the connection with the other party (step 19).

[0129] As described above, the electric-power transaction apparatus 51 of
the present embodiment includes the storage battery characteristic
correcting unit 16A which includes the temperature characteristic
correcting unit 17A which stores the characteristics of the storage
amount and temperature of the storage battery 3A, the self-discharging
correcting unit 18A which stores the characteristics of the storage
amount and elapsed time of the storage battery 3A, and the charging and
discharging count managing unit 19A which manages the number of charge
and discharge cycles of the storage battery 3A. Further, before the
pieces of electric power value information in the specific electric power
amount are compared, the electric power information control unit 15A
corrects the amount of electric power stored in the storage battery 3A by
the temperature characteristic correcting unit 17A and the
self-discharging correcting unit 18A, determines the number of charge and
discharge cycles of the storage battery 3A by the charging and
discharging count managing unit 19A, and determines that the storage
battery 3A reaches its life duration when the number of charge and
discharge cycles of the storage battery 3A is the predetermined number or
more to prohibit the electric power transaction process. Thus, it is
possible to enhance the reliability of the electric power transaction.

[0130] Since the electric-power transaction apparatus 55 has the same
function as in the electric-power transaction apparatus 51, the same
effect can be obtained.

[0131] Accordingly, in steps 14 and 15, the electric power information
control unit 15A of the first electric-power transaction apparatus 51
reads the second electric power information relating to the storage
battery 3B from the electric power information storage unit 14B of the
second electric-power transaction apparatus 55 to determine the electric
power transaction amount, but contrarily, the electric power information
control unit 15B of the second electric-power transaction apparatus 55
may read the first electric power information relating to the storage
battery 3A from the electric power information storage unit 14A of the
first electric-power transaction apparatus 51 to determine the electric
power transaction amount.

[0132] When the plurality of electric-power transaction apparatuses is
connected, for example, the electric-power transaction apparatus on the
side of a larger storage amount as a result of comparison of the electric
power stored in the storage batteries 3A and 3B in step 14 determines the
electric power transaction amount.

[0133] Further, the electric-power transaction apparatus 51 and the
electric-power transaction apparatus 55 may be configured by an exclusive
circuit, but the control method of the electric-power transaction
apparatus may be programmed using a computer so that the program is
executed on the computer.

[0134] In the second embodiment, the temperature correcting units 17A and
17B and the self-discharging correcting units 18A and 18B as described
above are not essential configurations in the present invention. Further,
the charging and discharging count managing units 19A and 19B are not
essential configuration. In this case, in the electric power information
of FIGS. 8 and 9, the "charging and discharging count" is not recorded.
Further, in a case where the storage battery characteristic correcting
units 16A and 16B are not provided, the temperature detecting units 12A
and 13B or the time counting units 13A and 13B are not essential.

Third Embodiment

[0135] FIG. 11 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a
configuration of an electric-power transaction apparatus according to a
third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 11, the same reference
numerals are given to the same units as in FIG. 1, and detailed
description thereof will be omitted.

[0136] In FIG. 11, a first electric-power transaction apparatus 61
includes the storage state detecting unit 11A, the temperature detecting
unit 12A, the electric power information control unit 15A and the
communication unit 22A. The storage battery 3A is connected to the first
electric-power transaction apparatus 61, and the storage battery 3A
stores electric power generated by the power generating apparatus 2.
Further, the electric power selling apparatus 4 through which the
electric power is sold in practice is connected to the storage battery
3A.

[0137] In a similar way to the first electric-power transaction apparatus
61, a second electric-power transaction apparatus 65 includes the storage
state detecting unit 11B, the temperature detecting unit 12B, the
electric power information control unit 15B and the communication unit
22B. The storage battery 3B is connected to the second electric-power
transaction apparatus 65, and the storage battery 3B stores electric
power generated by a solar power generating apparatus 75. Further, the
power generating apparatus which charges the storage battery 3B is not
limited to the solar power generating apparatus 75, and may include any
power generating apparatus which is capable of obtaining high value
electric power using natural energy, such as a wind power generating
apparatus.

[0138] A third electric-power transaction apparatus 71 includes a time
counting unit 13C, an electric power information storing unit 14C, an
electric power information control unit 15C, a communication unit 22C and
an account settlement unit 23C. The first electric-power transaction
apparatus 61 and the second electric-power transaction apparatus 65 are
connected to the third electric-power transaction apparatus 71 through a
communication line 80.

[0139] Accordingly, the present embodiment is different from the first
embodiment in that the first, second and third electric-power transaction
apparatuses 61, 65 and 71 are connected through the communication line 80
and units which can be shared by the first electric-power transaction
apparatus 61 and the second electric-power transaction apparatus 65 are
included in the third electric-power transaction apparatus 71.
Particularly, since the electric power information about each storage
battery is stored in the electric power information storage unit 14C of
the electric-power transaction apparatus 71 for management, it is
difficult to arbitrarily rewrite the electric power information, to
thereby enhance the reliability of the electric power information.

[0140] In the system configuration shown in FIG. 11, instead of the
electric power information storage unit 14C (first electric power
information storing means and second electric power information storing
means), like the first electric power information storage unit 14A and
the second electric power information storage unit 14B in FIG. 1, the
electric power information storage unit may be included in each
electric-power transaction apparatus. In this case, the electric power
information control unit 15C includes first electric power information
obtaining means and second electric power information obtaining means,
obtains the electric power information relating to the storage battery
3A, that is, the first electric power information from the first electric
power information storage unit 14A using the first electric power
obtaining means, and obtains the electric power information relating to
the storage battery 3B, that is, the second electric power information
from the second electric power information storage unit 14B using the
second electric power obtaining means.

[0141] FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically illustrating the outline of
electric power transaction through an information communication network
using the electric-power transaction apparatus according to the present
embodiment. In FIG. 12, the first electric-power transaction apparatus 61
shown in FIG. 11 is installed in a facility 140 of a specific district, a
company or the like which is provided with a large scale storage battery,
and the second electric-power transaction apparatus 65 is installed in a
house 109 or a collective housing 111 in which the solar power generating
apparatus 75 and the storage battery 3B are introduced. Further, the
electric-power transaction apparatus 71 is installed between the first
electric-power transaction apparatus 61 and the second electric-power
transaction apparatus 65.

[0142] In FIG. 2, the electric power generated from the solar power
generating apparatus is stored in the electric vehicle, and the electric
power transaction is performed when the electric vehicle is parked in the
commercial facility, but in FIG. 12, electric power generated from the
solar power generating apparatus or the like is stored in the storage
battery of the house, and the electric power transaction with a storage
battery of the other party which is connected to the information
communication network can be performed any time.

[0143] In the house 109 or the collective housing 111 in which the solar
power generating apparatus 75 and the storage battery 3B are introduced
and the second electric-power transaction apparatus 65 is introduced,
high value electric power obtained by the solar power generation is sold
to the facility 140 in which the first electric-power transaction
apparatus 61 is installed through the third electric-power transaction
apparatus 71, and low value electric power obtained in the facility 40 is
purchased through the third electric-power transaction apparatus 71. As
described above, electric power transaction is not performed by charging
and discharging but is performed by exchanging numerical values or data.

[0144] In the third electric-power transaction apparatus 71, the electric
power information storage unit 14C stores the first electric power
information which includes the amount of electric power stored in the
storage battery 3A on the side of the first electric-power transaction
apparatus 61 and the electric power value information which is the
information relating to the value of the electric power amount and first
identification information for identifying the storage battery 3A, and
stores the second electric power information which includes the amount of
electric power stored in the storage battery 3B on the side of the second
electric-power transaction apparatus 65 and the information relating to
the value of the electric power amount and second identification
information for identifying the storage battery 3B. That is, the first
electric power information and the second electric power information are
stored in the electric power information storage unit 14C for each
identification information.

[0145] The electric power information control unit 15C includes the first
electric power information obtaining means and the second electric power
information obtaining means, and performs the electric power transaction
between the storage battery 3A and the storage battery 3B on the basis of
the first electric power information stored in the electric power
information storage unit 14C obtained by the first electric power
information obtaining means and the second electric power information
obtained by the second electric power information obtaining means.
Specifically, the electric power information control unit 15C compares
the pieces of electric power value information in the specific electric
power amount between the electric power amount of the storage battery 3A
and the electric power amount of the storage battery 3B, and swaps and
stores, when the pieces of electric power information having different
electric power value information in the specific electric power amount
are present in the storage batteries 3A and 3B, the pieces of electric
power value information in the electric power information storage unit
14C.

[0146] Next, an operation of the electric-power transaction apparatus
according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to a
flowchart shown in FIG. 13. An element (for example, the electric power
information control unit 15A) which performs each step is described
together with description of each step.

[0147] The communication unit 22A of the first electric-power transaction
apparatus 61 and the communication unit 22C of the third electric-power
transaction apparatus 71 perform mutual authentication by connection of
the first electric-power transaction apparatus 61 and the third
electric-power transaction apparatus 71 through the communication line
80. Further, the communication unit 22B of the second electric-power
transaction apparatus 65 and the communication unit 22C of the third
electric-power transaction apparatus 71 perform mutual authentication by
connection of the second electric-power transaction apparatus 65 and the
third electric-power transaction apparatus 71 through the communication
line 80 (step 21).

[0148] That is, mutual authentication IDs are exchanged at an initial
connection time of the first electric-power transaction apparatus 61 and
the third electric-power transaction apparatus 71 and at an initial
connection time of the second electric-power transaction apparatus 65 and
the third electric-power transaction apparatus 71 to perform to perform
authentication, and thus, the electric power information control unit 15C
is allowed to handle both of the electric power information stored in the
electric power information storage unit 14C, relating to the electric
power stored by the first electric-power transaction apparatus 61 and the
electric power information relating to the electric power stored by the
second electric-power transaction apparatus 65, to thereby perform the
electric power transaction.

[0149] After the first electric-power transaction apparatus 61 and the
second electric-power transaction apparatus 65 are respectively connected
to the third electric-power transaction apparatus 71 and the
authentications are performed, the storage state detecting units 11A and
11B of the first and second electric-power transaction apparatuses 61 and
65 measure the discharging speeds of the storage batteries 3A and 3B to
confirm whether the discharging speeds are a predetermined value or lower
(step 22). That is, since the electric power is reduced while each of the
storage batteries 3A and 3B is being discharged (while electric power is
being used), the discharging speeds of the storage batteries 3A and 3B
are measured so that electric power transaction is not performed at that
time.

[0150] After it is confirmed that the measured discharging speeds of the
storage batteries 3A and 3B are the predetermined value or lower, the
electric power information control unit 15C of the third electric-power
transaction apparatus 71 transmits a request signal for re-measuring the
electric power amounts of the storage batteries 3A and 3B, to the first
and second electric-power transaction apparatuses 61 and 65,
respectively. As the request signal is transmitted, the electric power
amounts of the storage batteries 3A and 3B are re-measured by the first
and second electric-power transaction apparatuses 61 and 65 and the
results are transmitted. If the measured electric power amounts of the
storage batteries 3A and 3B are received, the electric power information
control unit 15C stores the received electric power amounts of the
storage batteries 3A and 3B in the electric power information storage
unit 14C (step 23). For example, the first electric power information is
as shown in FIG. 4, and the second electric power information is as shown
in FIG. 5.

[0151] After the electric power amounts of the storage batteries 3A and 3B
are stored in the electric power information storage unit 14C, the
electric power information control unit 15C obtains and reads the stored
electric power information using the first electric power information
obtaining means and the second electric power information obtaining means
(step 24), and compares the electric power amounts of the high value
electric power stored in the storage battery 3B on the side of the second
electric-power transaction apparatus 65 and the low value electric power
stored in the storage battery 3A on the side of the first electric-power
transaction apparatus 61, to determine the electric power transaction
amount (here, in the electric power information in which the electric
power transaction is allowed), and to set the transacted electric power
to "usage prohibited". Here, if necessary, the electric power information
is divided to become the same as the transacted electric power amount,
and is stored in the electric power information storage unit 14C (step
25). Here, the transacted electric power amount has a smaller electric
power amount as a result of the comparison of the high value electric
power amount and the low value electric power amount, as a maximum value.

[0152] Then, the electric power information control unit 15C exchanges the
electric power information about the electric power transacted between
the electric power information control unit 15A of the first
electric-power transaction apparatus 61 and the electric power
information control unit 15B of the second electric-power transaction
apparatus 65, and respectively stores the exchanged electric power
information in the electric power information of the first electric-power
transaction apparatus 61 and the electric power information of the second
electric-power transaction apparatus 65, in the electric power
information storage unit 14C (step 26). Then, the electric power
information control unit 15C performs allowance settings of the electric
power usage and the electric power transaction with respect to the newly
stored electric power information (step 27).

[0153] After the electric power information control unit 15C performs the
allowance settings of the electric power usage and the electric power
transaction with respect to the newly stored electric power information,
the account settlement unit 23C of the third electric-power transaction
apparatus 71 transmits the prices of the electric power exchanged by the
first and second electric-power transaction apparatuses 61 and 65 to the
account settlement system 6 to perform settlement (step 28). After the
settlement in the electric power transaction, the respective
communication units 22A, 22B and 22C of the first, second and third
electric-power transaction apparatuses 61, 65 and 71 release the
connection (step 29). If the connection is released, the electric power
information control unit 15C is not allowed to handle the electric power
information stored in the electric power information storage unit 14C,
relating to the electric power stored by the first electric-power
transaction apparatus 61 and the electric power information relating to
the electric power stored by the second electric-power transaction
apparatus 65, and thereafter, it is difficult to edit the electric power
information.

[0154] As described above, since the electric-power transaction apparatus
71 of the present embodiment stores the information (first electric power
information, first identification information, second electric power
information and second identification information) relating to the
respective storage batteries 3A and 3B in the common electric power
information storage unit 14C and performs the exchange of the electric
power value information on the basis of the information relating to the
respective storage batteries 3A and 3B stored in the common electric
power information storage unit 14C, it is not necessary that both of the
first electric-power transaction apparatus 61 and the second
electric-power transaction apparatus 65 include the electric power
information storage unit, and thus, it is possible to reduce the size,
weight and cost of each of the electric-power transaction apparatuses 61
and 65. Further, by performing management so that the information stored
in the electric power information storage unit 14C cannot be edited when
electric power transaction is not performed, and so that a person who is
not authenticated by the authentication ID cannot edit the information
stored in the electric power information storage unit 14C, it is possible
to prevent arbitrary edition of the electric power information, thereby
enhancing the reliability of the electric power transaction.

[0155] The electric-power transaction apparatuses 61, 65 and 71 may be
configured by an exclusive circuit, but the control method of the
electric-power transaction apparatus may be programmed using a computer
so that the program is executed on the computer.

[0156] In the third embodiment, the above-described temperature detecting
units 12A and 12B are not essential configurations in the present
invention. In this case, in the electric power information of FIGS. 4 and
5, the "storage battery temperature" is not recorded. Further, in the
third embodiment, the above-described time counting unit 13C is not an
essential configuration. In this case, the "event occurrence time" is not
recorded in the electric power information.

Fourth Embodiment

[0157] FIG. 14 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a
configuration of an electric-power transaction apparatus according to a
fourth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 14, the same
reference numerals are given to the same units as in FIGS. 1 and 11, and
detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0158] In FIG. 14, the storage battery 3A is connected to the first
electric-power transaction apparatus 61. The storage battery 3A stores
electric power generated by the power generating apparatus 2. Further,
the electric power selling apparatus 4 through which the electric power
is sold in practice is connected to the storage battery 3A.

[0159] A third electric-power transaction apparatus 81 has a configuration
in which a storage battery characteristic correcting unit 16C which is
the same as the storage battery characteristic correcting unit 16A (16B)
according to the second embodiment is added to the third electric-power
transaction apparatus 71 according to the above-described third
embodiment. Since the third electric-power transaction apparatus 81
includes the storage battery characteristic correcting unit 16C, it is
not necessary that the first and second electric-power transaction
apparatuses respectively include the storage battery characteristic
correcting units as in the second embodiment.

[0160] The storage battery characteristic correcting unit 16C includes a
temperature characteristic correcting unit 17C, a self-discharging
correcting unit 18C, and a charging and discharging count managing unit
19C. The storage battery characteristic correcting unit 16C stores the
storage characteristics of each of the storage batteries 3A and 3B,
corrects the amount of electric power stored in the storage battery 3A
using the storage characteristics of the storage battery 3A before the
electric power information control unit 15C compares the pieces of
electric power value information in the specific electric amount, and
updates the first electric power information. The storage battery
characteristic correcting unit 16C also corrects the amount of electric
power stored in the storage battery 3B using the storage characteristics
of the storage battery 3B, and updates the second electric power
information.

[0161] The temperature characteristic correcting unit 17C stores
characteristics of the storage amount and temperature of each of the
storage batteries 3A and 3B, corrects the amount of electric power stored
in the storage battery 3A from the measured temperature and the
temperature at the time of electric power transaction using the
characteristics of the storage battery 3A before the electric power
information control unit 15C compares the pieces of electric power value
information in the specific electric amount, and updates the first
electric power information. The temperature characteristic correcting
unit 17C also corrects the amount of electric power stored in the storage
battery 3B using the characteristics of the storage battery 3B, and
updates the second electric power information.

[0162] Here, the temperature measured by the temperature detecting unit
12A when the amount of electric power stored in the storage battery 3A is
measured is included as information relating to the measured temperature
of the storage battery 3A, in the first electric power information.
Further, the temperature measured by the temperature detecting unit 12B
when the amount of electric power stored in the storage battery 3B is
measured is included as information relating to the measured temperature
of the storage battery 3B, in the second electric power information. For
example, the first electric power information is as shown in FIG. 8, and
the second electric power information is as shown in FIG. 9.

[0163] The correction of the temperature characteristics in the
temperature characteristic correcting unit 17C is performed to unify the
electric power information at a predetermined temperature (for example,
25 degrees) to thereby perform the electric power transaction. In the
method of updating the electric power amount of the storage battery by
the re-measurement as in the third embodiment, the temperature of storage
battery is changed according to environments where the storage battery is
installed. For example, if the installation place of the storage battery
is each house as in FIG. 12, it is difficult to adjust the temperature of
the storage battery to be constant.

[0164] The self-discharging correcting unit 18C stores characteristics of
the storage amount and elapsed time of each of the storage batteries 3A
and 3B, corrects the amount of electric power stored in the storage
battery 3A from the measured time and the time when the electric power
transaction is performed, using the characteristics of the storage
battery 3A, before the electric power information control unit 15C
compares the pieces of electric power value information in a specific
electric amount, and updates the first electric power information. The
self charging correcting unit 18C also corrects the amount of electric
power stored in the storage battery 3B from the measured time and the
time when the electric power transaction is performed, using the
characteristics of the storage battery 3B, before the electric power
information control unit 150 compares the pieces of electric power value
information in the specific electric amount, and updates the second
electric power information.

[0165] Here, the measured time measured by the time counting unit 13C when
the amount of electric power stored in the storage battery 3A is measured
is included as information relating to the measured time of the storage
battery 3A, in the first electric power information. Further, the
measured time measured by the time counting unit 13C when the amount of
electric power stored in the storage battery 3B is measured is included
as information relating to the measured time of the storage battery 3B,
in the second electric power information.

[0166] The charging and discharging count managing unit 19C manages the
number of charge and discharge cycles of each of the storage batteries 3A
and 3B, determines the number of charge and discharge cycles of the
storage battery 3A before the electric power information control unit 15C
compares the pieces of electric power value information in the specific
electric amount, and determines that the storage battery 3A reaches its
life duration when the number of charge and discharge cycles of the
storage battery 3A is a predetermined count or more to prohibit the
electric power transaction process. Further, the charging and discharging
count managing unit 19C determines the number of charge and discharge
cycles of the storage battery 3B, and determines that the storage battery
3B reaches its life duration when the number of charge and discharge
cycles of the storage battery 3B is a predetermined count or more to
prohibit the electric power transaction process.

[0167] Next, an operation of the electric-power transaction apparatus
according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to a
flowchart shown in FIG. 15. An element (for example, the electric power
information control unit 15A) which performs each step is described
together with description of each step.

[0168] The communication unit 22A of the first electric-power transaction
apparatus 61 and the communication unit 22C of the third electric-power
transaction apparatus 81 perform mutual authentication by connection of
the first electric-power transaction apparatus 61 and the third
electric-power transaction apparatus 81 through the communication line
80. Further, the communication unit 22B of the second electric-power
transaction apparatus 65 and the communication unit 22C of the third
electric-power transaction apparatus 81 perform mutual authentication by
connection of the second electric-power transaction apparatus 65 and the
third electric-power transaction apparatus 81 through the communication
line 80 (step 31). That is, mutual authentication IDs are exchanged at an
initial connection time of the first electric-power transaction apparatus
61 and the third electric-power transaction apparatus 81 and at an
initial connection time of the second electric-power transaction
apparatus 65 and the third electric-power transaction apparatus 81 to
perform authentication, and thus, the electric power information control
unit 15C is allowed to handle both of the electric power information
stored in the electric power information storage unit 14C, relating to
the electric power stored by the first electric-power transaction
apparatus 61 and the electric power information relating to the electric
power stored by the second electric-power transaction apparatus 65, to
thereby perform the electric power transaction.

[0169] After the first electric-power transaction apparatus 61 and the
second electric-power transaction apparatus 65 are respectively connected
to the third electric-power transaction apparatus 81 and the
authentications are performed, the storage state detecting units 11A and
11B of the first and second electric-power transaction apparatuses 61 and
65 measure the discharging speeds of the storage batteries 3A and 3B to
confirm whether the discharging speeds are a predetermined value or lower
(step 32). That is, since the electric power is reduced while each of the
storage batteries 3A and 3B is being discharged, the discharging speeds
of the storage batteries 3A and 3B are measured so that electric power
transaction is not performed at that time.

[0170] After the storage state detecting units 11A and 11B of the first
and second electric-power transaction apparatuses 61 and 65 measure the
discharging speeds of the storage batteries 3A and 3B and it is confirmed
that the discharging speeds are the predetermined value or lower, the
electric power information control unit 15C of the third electric-power
transaction apparatus 81 reads the electric power information, relating
to the electric power stored in the storage batteries 3A and 3B, from the
electric power information storage unit 14C (step 33). Further, the
electric power information control unit 15C corrects the amount of
electric power stored in each of the storage batteries 3A and 3B of the
first and second electric-power transaction apparatuses 61 and 65 using
information about the characteristics of the storage batteries 3A and 3B,
and stores the electric power amount after the correction in the electric
power information storage unit 14C (step 34). In this case, the
correction using the temperature characteristics is performed by the
temperature characteristic correcting unit 17C, and the correction using
the self-discharging characteristic is performed by the self-discharging
characteristic correcting unit 18C. Further, the confirmation of the
number of charge and discharge cycles is performed by the charging and
discharging count managing unit 19C.

[0171] Next, the electric power information control unit 15C compares the
electric power amount of the high value electric power stored in the
storage battery 3B on the side of the second electric-power transaction
apparatus 65 with the electric power amount of the low value electric
power stored in the storage battery 3A on the side of the first
electric-power transaction apparatus 61, to determine the electric power
transaction amount, and to set the transaction electric power to "usage
prohibited". Here, if necessary, the first electric power information is
divided to become the same as the transacted electric power amount, and
is stored in the electric power information storage unit 14C (step 35).
Here, the transacted electric power amount has a smaller electric power
amount as a result of the comparison of the high value electric power
amount and the low value electric power amount, as a maximum value.

[0172] Then, the electric power information control unit 15C exchanges the
electric power information about the electric power transacted between
the electric power information control unit 15C and each of the electric
power information control unit 15A of the first electric-power
transaction apparatus 61 and the electric power information control unit
15B of the second electric-power transaction apparatus 65, and
respectively stores the exchanged electric power information in the
electric power information of the first electric-power transaction
apparatus 61 and in the electric power information of the second
electric-power transaction apparatus 61, in the electric power
information storage unit 14C (step 36). Next, the electric power
information control unit 15C performs allowance settings of the electric
power usage and the electric power transaction with respect to the newly
stored electric power information (step 37).

[0173] After the electric power information control unit 15C performs the
allowance settings of the electric power usage and the electric power
transaction with respect to the newly stored electric power information,
the account settlement unit 23C of the third electric-power transaction
apparatus 81 transmits the prices of the electric power exchanged by the
first and second electric-power transaction apparatuses 61 and 65 to the
account settlement unit 6 to perform settlement (step 38). After the
settlement in the electric power transaction, the respective
communication units 22A, 22B and 22C of the first, second and third
electric-power transaction apparatuses 61, 65 and 81 release the
connection (step 39). The electric power information control unit 15C is
not allowed to handle the electric power information stored in the
electric power information storage unit 14C, relating to the electric
power stored by the first electric-power transaction apparatus 61 and the
electric power information relating to the electric power stored by the
second electric-power transaction apparatus 65, and thereafter, it is
difficult to edit the electric power information.

[0174] As described above, the electric-power transaction apparatus 81 of
the present embodiment includes the storage battery characteristic
correcting unit 16C which includes the temperature characteristic
correcting unit 17C which stores the characteristics of the storage
amount and temperature of each of the storage batteries 3A and 3B, the
self-discharging correcting unit 18C which stores the characteristics of
the storage amount and elapsed time of each of the storage batteries 3A
and 3B, and the charging and discharging count managing unit 19C which
manages the number of charge and discharge cycles of each of the storage
batteries 3A and 3B. Further, the electric power information control unit
15C corrects the amount of electric power stored in each of the storage
batteries 3A and 3B using the temperature characteristic correcting unit
17C and the self-discharging correcting unit 18C before comparing the
pieces of electric power value information in the specific electric
amount, determines the number of charge and discharge cycles of each of
the storage batteries 3A and 3B, and determines that each of the storage
batteries 3A and 3B reaches its life duration when the number of charge
and discharge cycles is the predetermined count or more to prohibit the
electric power transaction, to thereby enhance the reliability of the
electric power transaction by the charging and discharging count managing
unit 19C.

[0175] Further, since the electric-power transaction apparatus 81 has the
same configuration as that of the electric-power transaction apparatus 71
according to the above-described third embodiment except for the storage
battery characteristic correcting unit 16C, it is possible to achieve the
same effect.

[0176] The electric-power transaction apparatuses 61, 65 and 81 may be
configured by an exclusive circuit, but the control method of the
electric-power transaction apparatus may be programmed using a computer
so that the program is executed on the computer.

[0177] In the fourth embodiment, the temperature detecting unit 17C and
the self-discharging correcting unit 18C as described above are not
essential configurations. Further, the charging and discharging count
managing unit 19C is not an essential configuration, and in this case,
the "charging and discharging count" is not recorded in the electric
power information. In a case where the storage battery characteristic
correcting unit 16C is not provided, the temperature detecting units 12A
and 12B and the time counting unit 13C are not essential configurations.

[0178] In the first to fourth embodiments, the discharging speeds of the
storage batteries are measured by the storage state detecting unit, and
electric power transaction is not performed when the discharging speeds
are fast, but the invention is not limited thereto. The time when the
storage batteries are charged or discharged may be detected by the
storage state detecting unit, and when the storage batteries are charged
or discharged (when the storage amount is changed), the electric power
transaction may not be performed.

[0179] Alternatively, instead of the determination using the discharging
speeds, the electric power transaction may be not performed when the
storage state detecting unit detects that the electric power stored in
the storage battery is a predetermined value or less (for example, 1
kWh). Further, by performing the electric power transaction so that a
predetermined amount (for example, 1 kWh) or more remains in the storage
battery, the stored electric power may not be entirely transacted at one
time.

[0180] In the present embodiments, the description has been made to the
electric power, but the invention is not limited thereto, and may be
usefully applied to energy other than the electric power. For example,
transaction of oil, gas, thermal energy or the like having different
values may be handled.

[0181] That is, there may be provided an energy transaction apparatus
including: first energy information storing means for storing first
energy information which includes the amount of energy stored in a first
energy storage device and energy value information which is information
relating to the value of the energy amount; communication means for
obtaining, from a different energy transaction apparatus which stores
second energy information which includes the amount of energy stored in a
second energy storage device and energy value information relating to the
energy amount, the second energy information; and energy information
control means for performing energy transaction between the first energy
storage device and the second energy storage device on the basis of the
first energy information and the second energy information, wherein the
energy information control means compares the pieces of energy value
information in a specific energy amount between the energy amount of the
first energy storage device and the energy amount of the second energy
storage device, and swaps and stores, when the pieces of energy
information in which the pieces of energy value information in the
specific energy amount are different from each other are present in both
the energy storage devices, the pieces of energy value information in the
first energy information storing means and the different energy
transaction apparatus.

[0182] Further, there may be provided an energy transaction apparatus
including: energy information storing means for storing first energy
information which includes the amount of energy stored in a first energy
storage device and energy value information which is information relating
to the value of the energy amount and first identification information
for identifying the first energy storage device, second energy
information which includes the amount of energy stored in a second energy
storage device and energy value information relating to the energy
amount, and identification information for identifying the second energy
storage device; and energy information control means for performing
energy transaction between the first energy storage device and the second
energy storage device on the basis of the first energy information and
the second energy information, wherein the energy information control
means compares the pieces of energy value information in a specific
energy amount between the energy amount of the first energy storage
device and the energy amount of the second energy storage device, and
swaps and stores, when the pieces of energy information in which the
pieces of energy value information in the specific energy amount are
different from each other are present in both the energy storage devices,
the pieces of energy value information in the energy information storage
means.

[0183] The invention has been described in detail with reference to the
specific embodiments, but it is obvious to those skilled in the art that
a variety of modifications can be made without departing from the spirit
and range of the invention.

[0184] The present application is based on Japanese Patent Application No.
2010-029410 filed on Feb. 12, 2010, the content of which is incorporated
herein.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0185] The present invention can perform electric power transaction with
high reliability between a person who desires to sell high value electric
power and a person using low value electric power who desires to obtain
high value electric power, and can be applied to electric vehicles,
electric power facilities which can obtain electric power from natural
energy such as a solar power generation or a wind power generation, and
electric power facilities of a specific district or a company which is
provided with a large scale energy storage.